New Stihl 180c wont stay running

My new Stihl 180c doesn't want to stay running. Any ideas? Symptoms are a very smoking run...almost like there's too much oil in the fuel mix, but I was careful to only out one small bottle in 1 gallon of fresh fuel. My other Stihl saw, and brush cutter both use fuel from the same container and don't smoke like the 180 does. I checked the manual, and it looks like the only carb adjustment is for idle speed which I've played with and doesn't help. I can start it with the choke and can rev it to keep it running but as soon as I try to let it idle it dies within 5 to 10 seconds. The saw only has 2 to 3 hours of use...could a plug have gone bad? It is brown. I know I have a warranty, so I'll probably take it to the dealer but figured I'd ask here first to see if there's a simple fix I can do first. Just stinks to have to already bring it in.

Picked up my saw yesterday...they said it's fine, and couldn't make the issue happen. Claimed to have run 3 tanks of gas throught it "testing". That's several hours of cutting so I'm not sure I believe that. I full expect this problem to happen later today while cutting. It cant be the gas because as I said, I run my other say and brush cutter with the same fuel mix from the same tank and they run fine. The dealer did tell me that there is no other adjustment on the carb in the 180 except for idle speed. Starting to think I may have a lemon here. I hope Stihl quality is still there.

Brand new saw, so yes the filter is clean, plug looks good. It smokes when you run it and your shirt smells like 2 stroke exhaust...my other stuff doesn't smoke or smell like this. They tell me there's only an idle adjustment on the carb. I cant believe the dealer couldn't reproduce the problem. I made it happen again within 10 minutes or less of cutting. I get it started within 5 or 6 pulls, cut a little and then it starts smoking...at this point if I take my finder off the gas it shuts off and is very hard to get started again...seems like it's flooding itself out. I know it's the saw because again, my other saw and brush cutter use gas from the same tank and they run fine. The dealer is useless at this point and says they'll charge me to look at it again. I pointed out that I wouldn't be there if I didn't have a problem and just want my new saw to run. I did tell them they lost me as a customer...no more saws...no more chains, no more oil or bar lube. I spend quite a but there through out the year every year but no more. I was even going to buy a new snow blower there this fall but they lost that. I guess I'll call a few other Stihl dealers, or contact Stihl directly....I just want the saw to run and cut...not asking much here. Seems stupid of Stihl to use a carb with nothing but an idle adjustment. Hard to buy quality anything these days.

I dont really mind the 5 or 6 pulls to make it burp, then another pull or two to get the saw to fire up...my 460 and 290 are the same way and have been since new. I've always considered it a Stihl trait to require some pulling to start. My issue is the runs for a bit and wont idle and once that 180 stalls you're in for a LOT of pulling, or remove the spark plug and wipe if off to get it to start back up. That's not right. I'm sure half a turn on a fuel adjustment screw would fix everything...but the carb doesn't have one.

clemsonfor said:

You may have to drive longer than a city person is use to but your dealer sucks if he cant tell a saw is too rich!

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I'm not a "city person".

Yeah, I'll try calling some of the other deals around and explain the problem. I would think someone has seen this before, or will offer to have a look at it. If not, I'll contact Stihl and see about getting some help with my brand new saw.